...As DNA Result Links Child Born From Rape To Him
Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
Lucky has finally run out on a clergyman, Pastor Simeon Okehielem, fondly known as Ebube Wonders of the Synagogue Prayers Ministry, alias Healing and Deliverance Mountain, as he has been arraigned before an Edo State High Court over an alleged rape of a married woman, Mrs Isoken Vivian Aigbedo.
The 38-year-old pastor, was docked before the Criminal Court 1 in Benin City on Thursday.
The charges against Pastor Okehielem is coming on the heels of a 2022 incident in Uholor Community, Benin City, in which he allegedly drugged and raped Mrs Aigbedo, leading to the birth of a child.
Recent DNA test results confirmed with 99.9% accuracy that the pastor is the biological father of the child, which reportedly prompted the Nigerian Police to rearrest and charge him formally.
The presiding judge, Justice Erhabor, granted a Motion Exparte to remand the suspect at the Benin Correctional Custodial Centre for 14 days pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Ministry of Justice, Edo State.
The State Prosecutor, P.O. Odion Esq, told the court that the alleged offence occurred in February 2022.
The two-count charge includes rape and administering a stupefying substance with the intent to commit a felony.
The charge sheet, marked Suit No: BLOD/2323M/2025, reads:
“That you, Okehielem Simeon ‘m’, in or about the month of February 2022, in Benin City within the Benin Criminal Division, did rape one Mrs. Isoken Vivian Aigbedo and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 4, punishable under Section 5(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2021.
“That you, Okehielem Simeon ‘m’, in or about the month of February 2022, in Benin City within the Benin Criminal Division, with intent to commit a felony, administered a substance to stupefy one Mrs. Isoken Vivian Aigbedo, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 256 of the Criminal Law of Edo State, 2022.”
Speaking to journalists after the court session, the victim’s legal counsel, Clinton Ogbebor, applauded the Nigeria Police Force for its diligence.
“We are in court today over the alleged rape of my client, Mrs. Isoken Aigbedo, by one Pastor Simeon Okehielem,” he said. “The case, which occurred around March 2022, resulted in the birth of a child.
” A DNA test conducted confirmed that the pastor is the biological father of the child. This revelation led to his re-arrest and arraignment today.”
Ogbebor confirmed that the case file would now be forwarded to the office of the DPP for legal advice, after which the trial will proceed accordingly.
The case has been adjourned pending further legal proceedings.